“Goosebumps!” That is the singular word Kynan Chenai reaches for when reflecting on his gold-medal performance in the mixed-team trap event at the Asian Games. It is a reaction that speaks volumes about the intensity required at the highest level of shooting—a moment where the noise of expectation fades, replaced by the solitary, rhythmic focus of man, machine, and target.
For Chenai, the Asian Games served as a masterclass in psychological resilience. After a disappointing 16th-place finish in the individual event, the pressure to deliver in the team discipline could have easily derailed a lesser athlete. Instead, Chenai tapped into years of experience, executing a sharp mental pivot that saw him and partner Neeru Dhanda clinch gold.
“At the Asian Games, I’m glad my experience and ability allowed me to flip the switch,” Chenai says. “I was able to back myself and get that energy back. It comes down to my experience and my ability to grit my teeth and grind through difficult situations.”
The 38-Year-Old Barrel Behind the Gold
Victory in sport is rarely the result of a single factor, and in Chenai’s case, the triumph had a unique, nostalgic component. Facing a slump in consistency with his modern equipment, Chenai turned to a surprising source: his father’s 38-year-old gun barrel.
Darius Chenai, a former national trap champion who introduced Kynan to the sport at age 10, had the vintage hardware gathering dust. When Kynan asked to borrow it, his father—ever the mentor—didn’t hesitate. The gamble paid off with a gold-medal finish.
“He’s quite proud that I’ve been able to use something of his and achieve some success with it,” Chenai says, noting that his father now balances pride with playful warnings about the wear and tear being put on such a storied piece of equipment.
A Foundation Built on Tradition
The connection between father and son is the bedrock of Chenai’s career. It was Darius who first taught him the sanctity of the range—the non-negotiable rules of firearm safety, the meticulous cleaning, and the profound respect required for the sport.
“I’ve had many different role models throughout my career, but Dad is the first one, the OG,” Chenai reflects. He also points to the influence of legends like Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Ranjan Sodhi, and his current coach, two-time Olympic medalist David Kostelecki, whose brain he is constantly “picking” in his ongoing quest to decode the formula for Olympic success.
Rio, the Missed Olympics, and the Road to LA
Chenai’s journey to the world stage has been anything but linear. A debutant at the 2016 Rio Olympics at the age of 25, he admits he was then a shooter running on “sheer grit and dumb luck,” lacking the tactical maturity he possesses today.
While he experienced the sting of missing the Tokyo and Paris Games, Chenai remains stoic. “Yes, it was disappointing, but it wasn’t earth-shattering,” he insists. “I learned what to do and what not to do for my next Olympics.”
The goal now is Los Angeles 2028. However, Chenai is refreshingly grounded, refusing to obsess over the two-year horizon. Instead, his approach is granular: win a quota place, perform at the next World Cup, and maintain an environment of “no drama” in the lead-up to every major competition.
Balancing Life Beyond the Range
At 35, Chenai acknowledges that his life has evolved. Newly married and juggling business interests alongside his professional career, he finds that his passion for shooting has only deepened through balance.
“Life has changed between my twenties and my thirties,” he explains. “I have to make time for my family, my businesses, and whatever else there is outside shooting. When I’m on the range, my appreciation for the game is greater because I love it so much.”
He credits the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and former president Raninder Singh for modernizing the sport’s infrastructure. With improved access to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and consistent, year-round support, he believes Indian shooters are firmly entrenched as world-class contenders.
Still Searching for Perfection
As he looks toward the future, Chenai remains acutely aware that the pursuit of excellence is a moving target. He does not claim to have “solved” the sport, and he dismisses the notion that a master athlete ever truly finishes their education.
“I don’t think perfection exists, but I’m searching for it,” he says. For Chenai, success is no longer just about the hardware on his chest or the title of Olympian; it is defined by the consistency of his output and the knowledge that, every time he steps onto the range, he is the best version of himself. As he prepares for the next chapter, that commitment to the process—not the result—remains his most powerful weapon.
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